Markov Chain Monte Carlo for Koopman-Based Optimal Control

We propose a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm based on Gibbs sampling with parallel tempering to solve nonlinear optimal control problems. The algorithm is applicable to nonlinear systems with dynamics that can be approximately represented by a finite dimensional Koopman model, potentially with high dimension. This algorithm exploits linearity of the Koopman representation to achieve significant computational saving for large lifted states. We use a video-game to illustrate the use of the method.

Does Extended Vascular Screening Be Performed in All Asymptomatic Behçet's Disease Patients With Previously Diagnosed Vascular Involvement or Unexplained Inflammatory Response?

Prognostic factors in Kaposi sarcoma, single centre experience

Abstract Background Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a multicentric vascular and lymphatic neoplasm caused by human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8). It generally concerns the elderly and immunosuppressed population. Four major clinical types of KS have been described. The most common subtype is Classical KS (CKS). Objectives Our retrospective study aimed to better define prognostic subgroups among patients with CKS, which is the most common in our country. Method Between 2014 and 2020, 43 patients with CKS were treated with local excision, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Reviewed information included demographics, clinical features, laboratory findings, treatment responses and overall survival. Results During the follow‐up, eight patients (18.6%) died of CKS. The complete response rate was 46.5%, partial response and stable disease 51.2%, and progressive disease 2.3% of all patients. Gender, haemoglobin level at diagnosis, and disseminated involvement were prognostic factors affecting survival in all patients. Conclusion We confirmed that male gender, low haemoglobin levels, and disseminated involvement are associated with poor prognosis in CKS patients. It is the only Turkish study in which prognostic analysis was performed for this rare cancer.

Effect of impeller rotational phase on the FDA blood pump velocity fields

Abstract Background The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) blood pump is an open‐source benchmark cardiovascular device introduced for validating computational and experimental performance analysis tools. The time‐resolved velocity field for the whole impeller has not been established, as is undertaken in this particle image velocimetry (PIV) study. The level of instantaneous velocity fluctuations is important, to assess the flow‐induced rotor vibrations which may contribute to the total blood damage. Methods To document these factors, time‐resolved two‐dimensional PIV experiments were performed that were precisely phase‐locked with the impeller rotation angle. The velocity fields in the impeller and in the volute conformed with the previous single blade passage experiments of literature. Results Depending on the impeller orientation, present experiments showed that volute outlet nozzle flow can fluctuate up to 34% during impeller rotation, with a maximum standard experimental uncertainty of 2.2%. Likewise, the flow fields in each impeller passage also altered in average 33.5%. Considerably different vortex patterns were observed for different blade passages, with the largest vortical structures reaching an average core radii of 7 mm. The constant volute area employed in the FDA pump design contributes to the observed velocity imbalance, as illustrated in our velocity measurements. Conclusions By introducing the impeller orientation parameter for the nozzle flow, this study considers the possible uncertainties influencing pump flow. Expanding the available literature data, analysis of inter‐blade relative velocity fields is provided here for the first‐time to the best of our knowledge. Consequently, our research fills a critical knowledge gap in the understanding of the flow dynamics of an important benchmark cardiovascular device. This study prompts the need for improved hydrodynamic designs and optimized devices to be used as benchmark test devices, to build more confidence and safety in future ventricular assist device performance assessment studies.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging study during resting state and visual oddball task in mild cognitive impairment

Abstract Background Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is a transitional state between normal aging and dementia, and identifying early biomarkers is crucial for disease detection and intervention. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has the potential to identify changes in neural activity in MCI. Methods We investigated neural activity changes in the visual network of the aMCI patients (n:20) and healthy persons (n:17) using resting‐state fMRI and visual oddball task fMRI. We used independent component analysis to identify regions of interest and compared the activity between groups using a false discovery rate correction. Results Resting‐state fMRI revealed increased activity in the areas that have functional connectivity with the visual network, including the right superior and inferior lateral occipital cortex, the right angular gyrus and the temporo‐occipital part of the right middle temporal gyrus (p‐FDR = 0.008) and decreased activity in the bilateral thalamus and caudate nuclei, which are part of the frontoparietal network in the aMCI group (p‐FDR = 0.002). In the visual oddball task fMRI, decreased activity was found in the right frontal pole, the right frontal orbital cortex, the left superior parietal lobule, the right postcentral gyrus, the right posterior part of the supramarginal gyrus, the right superior part of the lateral occipital cortex, and the right angular gyrus in the aMCI group. Conclusion Our results suggest the alterations in the visual network are present in aMCI patients, both during resting‐state and task‐based fMRI. These changes may represent early biomarkers of aMCI and highlight the importance of assessing visual processing in cognitive impairment. However, future studies with larger sample sizes and longitudinal designs are needed to confirm these findings.

Prediction of molecular phenotypes for novel SCN1A variants from a Turkish genetic epilepsy syndromes cohort and report of two new patients with recessive Dravet syndrome

Dravet syndrome and genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) are both epilepsy syndromes that can be attributed to deleterious mutations occurring in SCN1A , the gene encoding the pore‐forming α‐subunit of the Na V 1.1 voltage‐gated sodium channel predominantly expressed in the central nervous system. In this research endeavor, our goal is to expand our prior cohort of Turkish patients affected by SCN1A ‐positive genetic epilepsy disorders. This will be accomplished by incorporating two recently discovered and infrequent index cases who possess a novel biallelic (homozygous) SCN1A missense variant, namely E158G, associated with Dravet syndrome. Furthermore, our intention is to use computational techniques to predict the molecular phenotypes of each distinct SCN1A variant that has been detected to date within our center. The correlation between genotype and phenotype in Dravet syndrome/GEFS+ is intricate and necessitates meticulous clinical investigation as well as advanced scientific exploration. Broadened mechanistic and structural insights into Na V 1.1 dysfunction offer significant promise in facilitating the development of targeted and effective therapies, which will ultimately enhance clinical outcomes in the treatment of epilepsy.

Investigation of the constituents of commercially available toothpastes

Abstract Objectives Toothpaste plays a pivotal role in oral and dental hygiene. This cross‐sectional study not only investigates the constituents of toothpastes available in the market and their frequency across different brands but also delves into the potential side effects, irritations, or unfavourable outcomes of these constituents, emphasizing the broader health and environmental implications. Methods The largest of the five major chain markets in each district of Istanbul was visited, and adult toothpastes were included in this study. All the constituents that make up the toothpaste were individually recorded in an Excel database. Subsequently, literature regarding the purposes, toxic and potential side effects of each ingredient was gathered using databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed and ScienceDirect. The percentages of these ingredients' occurrence among all the toothpastes were calculated, and the ingredients were categorized into 15 distinct groups based on their usage purposes. Results There were 160 different varieties of toothpaste belonging to 19 different brands on the market shelves. Although a total of 244 different ingredients were identified, only 78 of them were included in the study. Among the analysed toothpaste types, 105 of them were found to contain 1450 ppm fluoride, whilst 26 toothpaste variants were discovered to have fluoride levels below this value. Among the various ingredients analysed, particular attention was drawn to commonly debated compounds in oral care products. Specifically, titanium dioxide was found in 68% ( n  = 111) of the varieties, sodium lauryl sulphate in 67% ( n  = 108) and paraben in 2% ( n  = 4), respectively. Conclusion Whilst certain ingredients may raise concerns for potential side effects and health considerations within the human body, the toothpaste has long been regarded as an indispensable tool for maintaining optimal oral and dental health. However, gaining a deeper understanding and conducting research on each constituent that comprises the toothpaste, as well as raising awareness in this regard, holds significant importance for human health.

Severity of coronary artery disease is associated with diminished circANRIL expression: A possible blood based transcriptional biomarker in East Africa

Antisense Noncoding RNA in the INK4 Locus (ANRIL) is the prime candidate gene at Chr9p21, the well‐defined genetic risk locus associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). ANRIL and its transcript variants were investigated for the susceptibility to CAD in adipose tissues (AT) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of the study group and the impact of 9p21.3 locus mutations was further analysed. Expressions of ANRIL, circANRIL (hsa_circ_0008574), NR003529, EU741058 and DQ485454 were detected in epicardial AT (EAT) mediastinal AT (MAT), subcutaneous AT (SAT) and PBMCs of CAD patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and non‐CAD patients undergoing heart valve surgery. ANRIL expression was significantly upregulated, while the expression of circANRIL was significantly downregulated in CAD patients. Decreased circANRIL levels were significantly associated with the severity of CAD and correlated with aggressive clinical characteristics. rs10757278 and rs10811656 were significantly associated with ANRIL and circANRIL expressions in AT and PBMCs. The ROC‐curve analysis suggested that circANRIL has high diagnostic accuracy (AUC: 0.9808, cut‐off: 0.33, sensitivity: 1.0, specificity: 0.88). circANRIL has high diagnostic accuracy (AUC: 0.9808, cut‐off: 0.33, sensitivity: 1.0, specificity: 0.88). We report the first data demonstrating the presence of ANRIL and its transcript variants expressions in the AT and PBMCs of CAD patients. circANRIL having a synergetic effect with ANRIL plays a protective role in CAD pathogenesis. Therefore, altered circANRIL expression may become a potential diagnostic transcriptional biomarker for early CAD diagnosis.

A cross‐sectional study on activity impairment in primary Sjogren's syndrome

Objective The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to show relations between activity impairment and salivary gland involvement for patient empowerment in primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS). Methods In the study, 86 patients with pSS were included. The data were collected through clinical examinations and a questionnaire regarding Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI), EULAR Sjogren's syndrome patient‐reported index (ESSPRI) and Oral Health Impact Profile‐14 (OHIP‐14). Relations were analysed by using mediation and moderation analyses. In simple mediation analysis, an independent variable (X) influences outcome variable (Y) through a mediator variable (M) whereas a moderator variable (W) affects the direction of the relationship between the dependent (Y) and independent variables (X). Results Increases in ESSPRI‐Dryness score (X) ( p  = 0.0189) and OHIP‐14 score (M) ( p  = 0.0004) were associated with the poor WPAI activity impairment score (Y) in the first mediation analysis. The WPAI activity impairment score was mediated by the elevated ESSPRI‐Fatigue score (X) ( p  = 0.03641) and low U‐SFR (M) ( p  = 0.0000) in the second mediation analysis. In addition, ESSPRI‐Pain score (W) was the significant moderator for WPAI activity impairment (Y) in patients without hyposalivation in the moderation analysis ( p  = 0.0010). Conclusion WPAI activity impairment was affected by both ESSPRI‐Dryness with OHRQoL and ESSPRI‐Fatigue with SFR in glandular involvement.

Rethinking de facto autonomy? A multi‐policy area approach and the regulatory policy process

We examine de facto autonomy across regulatory agencies and policy sectors. Yet not much is known whether, how and why de facto autonomy could vary across policy areas within the same policy sector. This article demonstrates the existence of such variation and suggests that this variation depends on the interplay between stakeholders' diverging (or overlapping) policy preferences, deficient (or superior) organizational policy capacity, and institutional arrangements leading to enabled (or constrained) de facto autonomy. Relying on elite interviews and secondary resources, this study builds on an illustrative study on bank regulation in Turkey in the post‐GFC period and presents a nuanced understanding of de facto autonomy: a multi‐policy area approach to de facto autonomy that allows us to examine variation in de facto autonomy across policy areas, the determinants of the variation, and whether de facto autonomy is constrained or enabled, which structures the regulatory policy process.